Billfold



June 26, 1934. P. A. GARDNER, -JR

BILLFOLD Filed N ov. 1l, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 26, 1934. P. A. GARDNER, JR

B ILLFOLD Filed Nov. ll, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fi Il.-

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Patented June 26, 1934 UNITED STAT-Es PATENT OFFICE BILLFOLD p Prince A. Gardner, Jr., St. Louis, Mo. Application November 11, 1931, Serial No. 574,306 18 Claims. (Cl. 150-3 8) without buckling or otherwise distorting the bill-l fold in any undesirable manner.

Another object of the invention is -to Vprovide' an improved billfold having a vnumber of walls united by flexible connections and adapted to be folded in the relationship to form a plurality of pockets having interlocking movable connections to hold the billfold in its assembled form and to yield as required to accommodate contents of different thicknesses.

Other objects will appear from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in whichy Fig. 1 is a plan view of the blank from which one type of billfold embodying the invention is made.

Fig. 2 is a view showing the first step of arranging the blank into the form of the completed billfold.

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the next step.

Fig. 4 is an inside plan view ofthe completed biufoid. l

' Fig. 5 is an outside `view of the ,billfold folded.

Fig. 6 is a top edge view of the billfold. Fig. 7 is alongitudinal sectional view on the une '1 -'1 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a cross sectionalfview on the line 9-9 of Fig. 4. y

Fig. l0 is an enlarged sectional view showing the interlocking connections between the wall forming means of the billfold. Y

Fig. 11 is a plan view of another form of blank for forming a billfold in/ accordance-,with the invention. l

Fig. 12 is a plan view showing the rst step in forming the billfold from the blank that is shown in Fig. 1/1.

Fig. 13 is an open plan view showing'the second step in the formation of the billfold.

` Fig. 14 is a view showing a number of the pockets bent and folded preparatory to engaging' the interlocking connections between the different wall forming members.

-tached to the upper marginal Fig. 15 is an open plan view of the completed billfold.

Fig. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 16-16 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a cross sectional View on the line (30 1'7-17 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged sectional view. showing the interlocking connections between the wall forming members.

The blank shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings is 05 composed of pliable and flexiblematerial formed to provide a number of wall members, so that when the blank is properly folded and assembled it will constitute a billfold having a number of pockets therein. The blank includes an outer wall member 1, two additional wall members 2 for cooperating with the wall member l to form between them the inner end walls of a pocket 3 of a billfold. The walls 2 have flexible connection along lines 4 with walls 5 adapt- '15 ed to cooperate with the walls 2 to form between them pockets that open inwardly toward each other. Walls 6 are exibly connected with the lower edge of the wall 1 along lines 7. The wall 1 has along its upper edge a marginal portion 8 united with the wall 1 along a line 9, so that the marginal portion 8 may be folded over against and secured to the inner side of the wall 1 and thereby form a finished marginal portion. 85

The lower edge of the wall 1 has in connection therewith a tab 10 exibly united with the wall 1 along the line 11, so that said tab 10 may be folded upwardly against and attached to the inner surface of the wall 1 to form an or-VQO namental finish at the lower margin of the wall `1 between the ends of the walls 6.

The edges of the Walls 6 opposite from the lines 'I are provided with marginal portions 12 united therewith along marginal fold lines 13 95 and are designed and adapted to be folded over the folded edges 4 of the walls 2 and 5 and atportions of the walls 2 within the pocket 3.

Each of the walls 5 is formed with a trans- 100 verse slit 14 spaced slightly fromv the fold lines 15 by which the walls 5 are flexibly united wit the .ends of the wall 1. These slits termina e short of the upper and lower edges of the walls 5.

The outer end of each of the Walls 6 is formed 195 with a pair of outwardly diverging slits 16 form ing between them a dovetail tongue 17. y The'inner ends of the slits 16 are spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the length of the adjacent slot 14 and the tongue A1'? is designed 110 and adapted to be extended through the slot 14 so as to close the outer end of the pocket formed by each wall 6 and its cooperating wall 5.

A flexible panel 18 has its ends extending into the pockets provided between the walls 2 and 5 so as to cooperate with the wall 1 and walls 2 to form a complete pocket 3 extending from end to end of the wall 1 of th'e billfold.

Glue may be used as a fastening means for securing the marginal portions 8 and 10 to the inner surface of the wall 1 and for securing the marginal portions 12 to the walls 2 within the pocket 3. If desired, the tongues 17 may be glued or otherwise secured to the inner surfaces of the walls 5, although in some instances this may be unnecessary.

The billfold illustrated on Sheet 2 of the drawings is made from a blank comprising an outer wall forming portion 19 composed of flexible and pliable material having on its upper edge a marginal portion 20 united therewith along a fold line 21 and adapted to be folded over against the wall 19 and secured thereto. i

Wall sections 22 are designed and arranged to cooperate with the wall 19 to form a. billfold compartment 23. The walls `22 are united along flexible fold lines 24 with wall sections 25 connected with the opposite ends of the wall 19 along flexible fold lines 26.

Wall forming members 27 are flexibly united with the lower edge of the wall 19 along flexible fold lines 28. These walls 27 are spaced apart and in the space between them a tab 29 is provided in connection with the edge of the wall 19 and is designed and adapted to be folded upwardly against and secured to the inner surface of the wall 19 so as to provide an ornamental finish between the inner ends of the Walls 27.

In making a billfold from this blank, the walls 22 are folded downwardly against the inner sides of the walls 25, as shown in Fig; 12. lThen the wall 25 is folded over toward the wall 19, as shown in Fig. 13. The walls 27 are then extended upwardly into the space between the walls 22 and 25, which may be done by turning back the corners of the walls 25, as shown in Fig. 14, and manipulating the walls 27 until said walls 27 are extended betweenvthe walls 22 and 25. A tongue 30 is formed along the lower edge of each wall 25 by upwardly converging slits 31, and said tongues are designed and adapted tobe extended into and through slits 32 near the lower margins of the walls 27 in order to obtain a flexible interlocking connection between the lower edges of the walls 25 and the walls 27. Glue or other adhesive substance may be used to attach the tongues 30 to the walls 27 and also to attach the marginal tabs 20 and 29 to the wall 19.

Thus, in each form of the invention disclosed there is an elongated compartment extending nearly the full length of the outer walls 1 and 19 and there are four additional pockets opening inwardly toward each other. The billfold is free from stitches'and fastening devices of that type and is united in such a way as to permit free and easy expansion and sliding movements in order to conform to the different shapes and movements lrequired. y

The construction and arrangement of the billfold may be varied otherwise than in the forms indicated in the drawings Without departure from the nature and principle of the invention. I do not restrict myself yin any unessential respects, but what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent' is:

1. A billfold comprising a flexible outer wall,

two flexible inner wall members having a combined length less than the length of the outer Wall, flexible connections uniting said wall members to the ends of said outer wall, and flexible elements united with one longitudinal edge of said outer wall and engaging the outer end portions of said flexible connections and cooperating therewith to form pockets. 2. A billfold comprising a flexible outer wall, two flexible inner wall members having a combined length less than the length of and cooperating with the outer wall to forma compartment, flexible elements united with the upper edges of said wall members and with the outer ends of said outer wall, and flexible walls united with the lower longitudinal edge of said outer wall below the lower edges of and each cooperating with the adjacent inner Wall member and the adjacent flexible element to form two pockets closed along their upper and lower edges and at their outer ends and open at their inner ends.

3. A billfold comprising a flexible outer wall, two flexible inner wall members having a combined length less than the length of the outer wall, flexible connections uniting said wall members to the ends of said outer wall, flexible elements united with one longitudinal edge of said outer wall and engaging the outer end portions of said flexible connections and cooperating therewith to form pockets, and a flexible panel cooperating with said innerI wall members and said outer wall to form a compartment.

4. A billfold 'comprising a flexible outer wall, two flexible inner wall members having a combined length less than the length of and cooperating with the outer wall to form a compartment, v

flexible elements united with the upper edges of said wall members and with the outer ends of saidouter wall, flexible walls united with the lower longitudinal edge of said outer wall and cooperating with said inner wall members and said flexible elements to form pockets closed along their upper and lower edges and at their outer ends and open at their inner ends, and a flexible panel cooperating with said inner wall members and said outer wall to-form a compartment.

5. A billfold comprising a flexible outer wall, two flexible inner wall members having a combined length less than the length of the outer wall, flexible elements integrally united with the outer ends of said outer wall and having their upper edges connected with the upper edges of said wall members, flexible wall forming means in connection with the lower edge of said outer wall below the lower edges of and each cooperating withl'the adjacent wall member and the adj acent flexible element to form two pockets closed along their upper and lower edges and at their outer ends and opening at their inner ends, and means for securing the upper edges of said flexible wall forming means to said wall members.

6. A billfold comprising a flexible outer wall, two flexible inner wall members having a combined length less than the length of the outer wall, flexible connections united with the upper edges of said wall members and with the outer ends of said outer wall supporting said wall members in position to cooperate with said outer wall to form a bill compartment and closing the outer ends of said compartment, and flexible means closing the lower side of said compartment and each cooperating with the adjacent wall member and the adjacent connection to form two pockets.

7. A billfold comprising a iiexible outer wall, two exible inner wall members having a combined length less than the length of the outer wall, flexible connections united with the upper edges of said wall members and with the outer ends of said outer wall supporting said wall members in position to cooperate with said outer wall to form a bill compartment and closing the outer ends of said compartment, flexible means in connection with the lower edge of the outer wall below the lower edges of said members and connections closing the lower side of said compartment, and means holding each of said exible means in cooperative relation with an adjacent one of said flexible connections to form a pocket between said ilexible means and said connection.

8. A billfold comprising a ilexible outer wall, two exible wall elements integral with the ends of said outer wall, a ilexible wall member in connection with each of said wall elements and supported thereby in position to cooperate with said outer wall tol form a bill compartment and to cooperate with said wall elements to form a pocket, and flexible means in connection vwith the lower edge ofsaid outer wall below the lower edges of said elements and members closing the lower portion of said compartment and cooperating with saidwall'members to form pockets between said ilexible means and said wall members.

9. A billfold comprising a flexible outer wall, two exible wall elements integral with the ends of said outer wall, a flexible wall member in connection with each of said wall elements and supported thereby in position to cooperate with said outer wall to form a bill compartment and tov cooperate with said wall elements to form a pocket, and iiexible means in connection with said outer/wall closing the lower portion of said compartment and cooperating with said wall elements and said wall members to form pockets.

10. A billfold comprising a flexible outer wall, flexible elements united with the outer ends of said outer wall, flexible wall members united with the upper edges of said wall elements and supported thereby in position to cooperate with said outer wall to form a bill compartment, flexible Wall devices in connection with the lower edge of said outer wall, and means holding said wall devices in connection with said wall elements to close the lower portion of said bill compartment and to cooperate with said wall members and said wall elements to form pockets.

1l. A billfold comprising a flexible outer wall, two exible inner wall members, exible means integrally connecting'said wall members with the outer ends of said outer wall and supporting said wall members in position to cooperate with said outer wall to form a bill compartment, and exible devices integral with said outer wall and engaging and holding'l said exible means in position to retain said Wall members in cooperative relation to said outer wall and closing the lower end portions of said bill compartmentbelow the lower edges of said members and exible means. 12. A billfold comprising a exible outer wall, two exible inner wall "members, flexible means integrally connecting said wall members with the outer ends of said outer wall and supporting said wall members in position to cooperate with said outer wall to form a bill compartment, and

ilexible devices integral with said outer wall and engaging and holding said flexible means in position to retain said Wall members in cooperative relation to said outer wall and cooperating with said wall members to form pockets and closing the lower end portions of said bill compartment below the lower edges of sid members and iiexible means.

13. A billfold comprising-a flexible outer wall, two flexible inner wall members, iiexible means integrally connectingsaid wall members with the outer ends of said outer wall and supporting said wall members in position to cooperate with said outer wall to form a bill compartment, flexible devices integral with said outer wall and engaging and holding said flexible means in position to retain said wall members in cooperative relation to said outer wall and cooperating with said wa members to form pockets, and a panel extending into said pockets and forming the inner wall of the central portion of said compartment.

14. A billfold comprising a substantially rectangular section of exible material forming an outer wall, two flexible inner wall members, Ilexible wall elements integral with said members and with the outer ends of said outer wall, flexible wall devices integral with the lower edge of said outer wall, connections uniting said wall devices with said wall elements and holding said wall elements and said wall devices in position to form inwardly open pockets and holding said rwall members in position to cooperate with said outer wall to form a compartment, and a panel engaged between said wall members and said wall devices and cooperating with said wall members to complete the inner Wall of said compartment.

15. A billfold comprising a flexible outer wall, two elongated iexible wall elements integral with spaced edge portions of said outer wa'll and each having a slit extending angularly with respect to an adjacent edge portion, elongated ilexible wall members in connection with theV upper edges of each of said respective wall elements and supported thereby in longitudinally spaced relation to cooperate with said outer wall to form a bill compartment and to cooperate with said wall elements respectively to form inwardly open pockets, elongated iiexible walls, in connection with the lower edge of said outer wall closing said compartment and extending through said slits, and means for securing the upper edges of said flexible walls in connection with the upper portions oi said wall members and thereby forming inwardly openpockets between said iiexible walls and said ilexible wall elements. y

16. A billfold comprising an outerI wall, elongated lexible walls in connection with the Vends of said outer wall, wall sections in connection with the upper edges of said flexible walls and extending downwardly between said flexible walls and said outer wall to cooperate with said outer wall to form a bill compartment, wall elements in connection with the lower edge of said outer wall extending upwardly between said exible walls and said wall sections and cooperating with said flexible walls to form inwardly open pockets, and means seeming the lower edges of said :flexible walls to the lowerportions of said wall elements.

17. A billfold comprising an outer wall, elonv gated flexible walls in connection with the Aends of said outer wall, wall sections in connection with the upper edges of said ilexible walls and extending downwardly between Ysaid ilexlble walls and said outer wall to cooperate with said outer wall to form a bill compartment, wall elements in connection with the lower edge of said outer wall extending upwardly between said ilexible walls and said wall sections and cooperating with'said iiexible walls to form inwardly open pockets,

means securing the lower edges of said ilexible abLv connected to the adjacent end edge of the outer wall, and other iiaps foldably connected to the lower edge of the outer wall and fastened one to each of the first named aps, and a central inner wall section bridging the gap between the rst named inner wall sections and having its ends received one between each inner wall section and the flap superposed thereon.

PRINCE A. GARDNER, JR. 

